Brain Drain

12″ x 12″ x 2” – Dinnerware, handmade pottery, and a variety of glass on a wooden cradle pane

We've all had days when our minds refuse to quiet down.

Modeled after fellow artist Jutta, this portrait captures a moment of mental exhaustion—the feeling of being overwhelmed by thoughts, responsibilities, and the endless chatter that can fill our heads. With her eyes closed and one hand covering her face, she appears caught between the need to keep going and the desire to simply rest.

The words flowing through her hair don't actually say anything. They're there to create the feeling of a mind that's too full—when thoughts pile on top of thoughts and your brain just wants a break.

What drew me to this image was its honesty. Rather than hiding vulnerability, it embraces a feeling most of us know well. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is acknowledge that we're tired.

Jutta is #48 in my ongoing series of mosaic portraits of contemporary artists from around the world.